Can I Keep Delaying Braces Treatment

[sarahlayton06]

I’m 18 almost 19. I’m eligible for braces for free under the NHS as I was referred by a dentist before I turned 18. However, I don’t want to have braces now; rather, I want to keep delaying my possible treatment in case I change my mind in the future. That way, it will still be free for me as it would be going on the free referral made for me when I was under 18. Is it possible to keep delaying this?

Either accept or decline. By staying on the list you're just increasing the waiting times for everyone else.

Life altering? They just make your teeth straight and then you wear a retainer for a bit afterward. You’re being really dramatic about braces. I had my train tracks for 18 months and wore a retainer at night for 12 months after. Teeth have remained straight ever since. I’m so glad I was able to get them done on the nhs. If you’re doing to mess about and delay it then just leave it and pay for it when you’re older

Well are you happy with the way your teeth look, are they easy to clean, do they cause any problems ie pain, do they stick out to the point that they are vulnerable to damage? If you are happy with them cancel the appointment and get on with your life.
Edited to add
My dc all had braces and yes they wear retainers and yes they have caused some slight issues, but their teeth being crooked also caused issues, and they didn't like the way they looked.

If you don't want/need braces badly enough nhs will discharge you and you won't have the option. If they are enough of an issue that nhs has agreed to fund orthodontics, generally it is due to a functional need and you may eventually need more radical treatment which may not be covered.

You really don't need life long care, if you don't wear a retainer they'll move slightly but still be better than they were and as you are fully grown I doubt they would move too much. You can also have a permanent retainer glued on the back of your bottom teeth I've had mine for 20 years and just use interdental brushes to get in the gaps..

I got invisalign in my 50s! I now wear one in bed but never during the day. Thing is your teeth will keep moving and you will end up with more issues if you don't fix them and keep them in place with a retainer at night.

This. My daughter’s is functional but NHS waiting lists are 5 years + here so gone private.

I had braces as a teenager and had no maintenance at all beyond a couple of years with retainers - my teeth are no different now (I’m 40) than the day the braces came off. Are you sure about the maintenance side (if that’s a big driver of your decision)?

For most people the research now shows they will need to wear retainers for life.
Look at the number of adults having repeat braces after having braces in their youth and not wearing retainers https://bos.org.uk/patients/retainers/

Your options are open: your options are get it free or not.

You've got a professional highly recommending it. Having to use retainers is going to be one of the smaller hassles and commitments in your life as the years come 😂

Of course you can't! It's only free for under 18s. It's probably already too late. Braces are extremely expensive, what a daft thing to do to turn them down.

I have a fixed retainer. It's precisely zero effort.

Ds had braces for about four years. He had a retainer wire fitted behind his teeth at the end of treatment and a removable one. In the five+ years since it has only needed one visit to a private orthodontist to refix a bracket.

I tell you now that you will regret not doing this. Cost me £3k in my 30s but the best money I ever spent. I wish I could have had done for free!

My DD was referred for braces. Orthodontist said we had to wait till she finished growing as it was related to her jaw. By the time she finished growing, what the NHS would pay for had changed and we were told we'd have to pay for it ourselves. Our dentist was horrified. So, basically what you currently qualify for, for free, may not be available when you decide you do want it. Plus of course your annual referral appointment is potentially taking someone else's spot who actually needs the treatment.

I don't think it works that way OP. I'm a dentist but in Scotland so slightly different, but if a patient has approval for NHS dental treatment, if they don't start within a certain timescale then we need to close off the case.

Either go for it now, or start saving just in case you decide you definitely want treatment in the future, as this will be your only chance for NHS funding

I'm surprised you meet the NHS criteria if it's only "highly recommended". Wouldn't be entertained in our area.

Either get them or stop taking up space on the list.

I feel you’re overthinking this. Have the appointment, agree what’s needed. They won’t fund them if you delay into adulthood and you will have to pay. They are expensive. Ongoing upkeep isn’t that bad. What’s putting you off?

You're not sure probably as it's free. So you don't care

The retainers have to be worn forever is complete bull shit.
I had my teeth done 30 years ago I used a retainer for 6 months - my teeth have never moved.

I don’t know anyone whose teeth have moved back - I’m sure it happens occasionally but it isn’t the massive risk orthodontists want you too believe.

On your OP - just have it done and be grateful you can have it done for free or risk be kicked off the list and paying thousands.

2 of my dc have fixed retainers and over the years these have needed some maintenance as they can break, the other two (their treatment was more recent) have retainers that they wear at night, one of them forgets to wear it sometimes and her teeth have definitely moved, not to their original position but they are no longer as straight. Some teeth are more likely to move than others so it depends on which teeth need to be realigned. I had braces myself about 45 years ago, retainers weren't a thing then and unfortunately my teeth went crooked again within a few years of having the braces off.

The retainers have to be worn forever is complete bull shit.

@NavyStork it's not a once size fits all scenario. Some folk will absolutely require long term retention

It is a fucking con.
I will never be convinced otherwise.

Certain types of tooth movement are more likely to relapse eg lower front teeth will almost always relapse to some extent, certain types of treatment are more likely to relapse eg retainer treatment like Invisalign and research shows up to 70% of all orthodontic treatment relapses without retention.

The problem is we do not know who will be the the 30% or less whose treatment probably does not need lifelong retainers and because by the time the teeth have moved you are too late it is advised that everyone wears a retainer for life . https://www.thejcdp.com/abstractArticleContentBrowse/JCDP/16857/JPJ/fullText

You can play roulette after years and expense of braces and hope you are in the minority that does not need retainers or you can take advice and for a small investment in time etc try to ensure retention. Even then you need monitoring because even fixed retention can fail.